RESTORATION, PRESERVATION & ARCHIVING

HOW LONG DOES IT TAKE TO RESTORE A PHOTOGRAPH?

Typically, restoring a photograph takes between 5 to 10 business days. However, if the photo is significantly damaged or if Sebastian is busy with a large project, it might take a little longer. Keep in mind that during peak seasons, the increased volume can also affect turnaround times.

Clients are encouraged to submit their photographs for restoration well ahead of holidays like Veterans Day, Mother's Day, Father's Day, Thanksgiving, and Christmas.

While there are no options for 'rush' jobs, we can expedite quality work for an additional fee to help meet your deadlines.

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CAN I SEND YOU A SCAN OF A PHOTOGRAPH TO BE RESTORED?

If you are unable to bring a photograph to the studio or send it to be restored you can e-mail a scan or send a thumb drive with high resolution scan file. Please have a photograph scanned at minimum resolution of 300dpi (600dpi or more if photograph is to be enlarged) at full color setting, even if photograph is black and white.

However, please remember that producing a high quality photo scan is the first and one of the most important steps in photo restoration. Unlike many discount photo restoration services that use low quality scanners in hope that later whatever imperfections of the scan, low resolution or color changes can be fixes in Photoshop, Sebastian Wintermute utilizes high quality equipment to ensure capture of even the smallest details or the most minute color variations of the original that are needed for high quality photo restoration and art replication.

To see the difference in quality of images produced with professional high resolution photo scanners comparing to images produced by a common scanner you can examine the two scans of the same photograph.

Both scans were made at 600dpi resolution.
The scan on the left was made with a common all-in-one printer/copier/scanner.
The scan on the right was made with a calibrated photo scanner set specifically for high quality output.

The photo scanner result is much sharper, has better color balance and saturation. Magnification shows even the smallest details while the other scanner blurred details.

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CAN YOU RESTORE THE ORIGINAL PHOTOGRAPH INSTEAD OF MAKING A DIGITAL COPY?

Traditional photo retouching services are offered on a case-by-case basis. If an original photograph is damaged only slightly, it may still be possible to reduce the appearance of scratch marks and other imperfections by careful application of retouching spot tones.

A common misconception about photo restoration is the idea that skilled restorers in the past had an extraordinary ability to fix and revive original photographs, no matter their condition. This is not entirely true. While a proficient restorer can tackle minor issues like scratches, small marks, or tears, any major damage requires making a copy of the original image.

Typically, the process involved capturing the original image on a special copy film, such as Kodak Professional Copy Film 4125, designed specifically for retouching. After creating a copy, the photo restorer would carefully retouch the negative, removing all visible damage and flaws with specialized tools and pencils. Once the retouching was complete, the negative would be printed onto photo paper, resulting in a restored version of the damaged photograph.

In modern practices, instead of creating a negative from the original photograph, a digital file is produced by scanning the image with a high-quality scanner. After retouching the digital file, the restored image is printed on specially designed paper that provides better quality and durability than traditional photo papers.

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CAN YOU ENLARGE A SMALL PHOTOGRAPH?

Yes, unless a photograph is very damaged or blurry or out of focus. Most passport size or wallet size photographs can be enlarger to 4x6 or 5x7 size and the photographs of those sizes can be enlarged to 8x10 or 11x14. A greater increase in size may result in loss of detail and excess appearance of film grain and texture of the original photograph.

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HOW DO I PROTECT OLD PHOTOGRAPHS AND DOCUMENTS FROM FADING?

To prolong the life of your photographs or documents and prevent additional damage, store your originals in archival acid-free envelopes and boxes that can be purchased at most art or frame shops.

Keep them where temperature and humidity will be consistent and avoid storage in garages, attics, and basements or near fireplaces and windows. Display the photographs or documents only in frames that are covered with UV protective glass. Keep them away from exposure to direct sunlight, fluorescent light. If your photographs or documents are mounted in frames, do not use chemical cleaners or solvents on the protective glass or the frame.

Chemicals may penetrate the openings between the glass and the frame and cause damage. Use only clean rags or paper towels with water to clean frames and glass. If a frame or a glass is damaged take it to a professional framing shop for repair, specifying the use of archival materials for mats and mounting.

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CAN I MAKE ADDITIONAL PRINTS FROM DIGITAL FILES MYSELF?

To provide the highest possible quality and longevity of the digital prints Sebastian Wintermute uses fine art papers and inks. However, a print of an acceptable quality and life expectancy can be made using a home computer and a printer.

Please refer to the manuals provided by your printer manufacturer for an advise on printing photo-quality images.

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DO YOU KEEP DIGITAL COPIES OF PHOTOGRAPHS AND FOR HOW LONG?

All digital scans ans files of original photographs and those of restored ones are kept for at least 1 year.
This assures that in case of loss of the original, a client can have restored photographs or a digital storage unit containing the files replaced at a fraction of the original cost without having to pay for full restoration.

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